Innovative counseling programs aren’t just tools for strengthening relationships — they could also play a key role in strengthening India’s economy.

When gender inequality exists within households, it often spills over into the broader economy, limiting women’s opportunities to contribute meaningfully. Ashish Sedai of the University of Texas, Arlington, will share research he conducted with his co-authors in Kanpur, India. Their experiment deployed couples therapy — both conducted in private and on a community level — to see how it impacted the ways in which men and women allocated labor, which has historically been influenced by traditional gender norms.

This research offers a glimpse into how reshaping household dynamics can empower women, challenge social norms and unlock economic potential.

Livia Alfonsi of Harvard Business School will serve as discussant.

Register for this event today to learn more about this innovative method of increasing economic productivity and achieving gender equity.

The Seminar Series on the Indian Economy is organized by the 21st Century India Center at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS). For more information on India activities, please visit india.ucsd.edu.